I want to know what size cooler mash tun to build for 10g batches using keggles for liquor tank and kettle. I see two other builds on here for 5 gallons, is that enough? Would a 10g cooler be better if you are starting from scratch? And by they way, coolers are not cheap, $40 at best, up to $100.

Do you wrap the mash tun in something to keep it insulated, or keep heat on it? I'm not doIng AG yet, but trying to ease into it one piece of equip at a time. I have a keggle, trying to arrange pickup of another, then will need a third sounds like if I don't use a cooler.

Do you wrap the mash tun in something to keep it insulated, or keep heat on it? I'm not doIng AG yet, but trying to ease into it one piece of equip at a time. I have a keggle, trying to arrange pickup of another, then will need a third sounds like if I don't use a cooler.

I'm actually only running two keggles --- i don't have an HLT, i use an electric inline heater for sparge water.

And yes, i insulated the MLT using foam bed-roll (the stuff you use when backpacking). I will eventually replace the bed-roll material with a purpose built insulation. for now this work pretty well. The MLT is not fired at all, so i will be putting spray foam insulation all around it. Thats basically the same insulation used in the igloos.

The only thing between me and a train wreck is blind luck..... - Kenny

If I recall; I can fit exactly 13.5lb of grain in my 5gal. That's a thick mash, with not much room to stir, but it works. so a ten gal would work for 27lbs (with a similar manifold) If you get about 28 pt per lb that's 756pt/10gal= 1.0756OG. If you want higher gravity you could always make a smaller batch, say 8 gal. I like the proportions of the round drink coolers (just wish they made a cheap 20gal one), but people get very good results with the chest coolers.

If I recall; I can fit exactly 13.5lb of grain in my 5gal. That's a thick mash, with not much room to stir, but it works. so a ten gal would work for 27lbs (with a similar manifold) If you get about 28 pt per lb that's 756pt/10gal= 1.0756OG. If you want higher gravity you could always make a smaller batch, say 8 gal. I like the proportions of the round drink coolers (just wish they made a cheap 20gal one), but people get very good results with the chest coolers.

I have a 10 gallon round igloo cooler and I can handle 24 lbs of grain ad that was it, no more.

in the growler yes in the keg no forced so i always have some left over hiding on the shelf in the growlers

My brain just tells me thats more stuff to clean

i put 2 gal in growlers and put them on the back shelf for aging

my growlers are for filling at brewpubs or transporting beer to friends houses. i have bottles for bottling beer. ;)

I typically just bottle off the keg if i want to squirell away a bit of beer.

i've been known to bottle the two or three extra beers worth that don't fit into the keg. normally i'll just bottle from a keg if i want to set some aside, but if they're a little extra, i try not to waste it.